The term “Allergic March” describes how allergic diseases progress throughout the life of an allergic individual.

This usually begins within the first few months of life with eczema. In 30 to 50% of these children, eczema is associated with food allergy. Food allergies generally begin to appear within the first three years of a child’s life. As children grow up, the allergic march may progress to the development of rhino-conjunctivitis (hay fever) and/or allergic asthma.

This pattern of development of allergic diseases is commonly seen in individuals with a family history of allergy. Frequently, allergic individuals suffer from multiple allergic conditions (eczema, hay fever, food allergies, asthma) which affect their quality of life. For example, a plethora of symptoms varying from itchy skin to sneezing, snoring, wheezing may result in reduced exercise tolerance, poor sleep and concentration and impaired performance at school or at work.